BMW X1

Overview

What makes the 10Best-winning BMW X1 so good? It's quick, nimble, spacious, well built, and undeniably upscale. The sweet turbocharged four-cylinder engine revs eagerly, and the X1's ride is comfortable without sacrificing inspired handling. Hauling bulky cargo? The X1 succeeds there, too, making it a true dual-purpose vehicle for driving enthusiasts with an active lifestyle. Exterior styling could stand to be more expressive, but no one will mistake the X1 for anything but a BMW, and that alone may be attractive to potential buyers. It's the whole package, and in this highly competitive segment, an easy favorite.

What's New for 2019?

BMW has made a number of features standard across the X1 lineup this year, including driver-assistance features such as forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, parking sensors, and automatic high-beam headlamps. Navigation with real-time traffic updates is also now included, as is Apple CarPlay, but for some reason BMW requires an annual fee for that normally free feature after the first year. A self-parking feature is now a standalone option and costs just $200.

BMW X1 Pricing and Which One to Buy

sDrive28i: $35,945

xDrive28i: $37,945

Even with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the X1's not exactly an off-road champ, so we'd stick with the front-wheel-drive sDrive28i model. We dig the monochromatic look of the M Sport package and appreciate its sport-tuned suspension and more comfortably shaped sport seats. Other features included with the M Sport package include a panoramic sunroof, a racy M-branded steering wheel, and blacked-out window trim and roof rails.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

There is only one engine and transmission pairing for the X1: a silky 228-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo four provides plenty of pep as well as good fuel efficiency. In our all-wheel-drive test vehicle, we managed a 6.3-second zero-to-60-mph time, which is one of the quicker entries in this segment. Front-wheel drive is standard; the optional all-wheel-drive system puts most of the power through the front wheels, although up to 100 percent of the engine's output can, for brief moments in low-traction scenarios, flow to the rear.

The X1's ride is firm, and it does not suppress the nastiest road imperfections; it's more sports car than SUV in this regard. To inform the driver's hands, the X1 has electrically assisted power steering, which filters out much of the tactility that makes driving BMWs a joy. However, the X1 has all the cornering ability anyone could want in a compact family hauler.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The X1 earns highly competitive fuel-economy ratings from the EPA, though the Mercedes-Benz GLA250 beats both its city and highway EPA numbers. Our highway testing proves, as always, that your real-world mileage may vary as the all-wheel-drive X1 we tested delivered just 29 mpg of its 31 mpg rating.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Great driving position, well-connected infotainment system, loads of cargo space.
Dislikes: Interior materials are a mix of premium and cheapskate, infotainment menu structure may be confusing to some users.

The X1's interior is nicely appointed and crafted from mostly premium materials. Poke around, and you'll find evidence that BMW's accountants repurposed funds from the interior. The glovebox door is as flimsy as a plastic lunchbox, and the bin hidden under the front seat, while useful, feels as if BMW bought it in bulk from a dollar-store fire sale. The cockpit has a driver-focused layout, reinforcing the X1's sporty personality. Facing the driver is a businesslike gauge cluster that looks elegant and is readable at a glance. The driving position is great, although the steering wheel adjustments could use more range of motion in both angle and reach.

The X1's standard infotainment system is intuitive enough, and it's easy to operate while on the go. All X1s come standard with a 6.5-inch iDrive infotainment system, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system. Navigation, a larger 8.8-inch infotainment screen, a SiriusXM subscription, and a 12-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system are optional. The X1's infotainment system bundles navigation, radio, telephone, and the car's overall systems menu under the command of a rotary knob that fits comfortably beneath the driver's right hand. The controller is surrounded by shortcut buttons for phone, nav, and other functions.

With the largest cargo capacity in its segment, even beating some higher-class rivals, the X1 offers a lot of space for its compact shape. Several bins and cubbies dot the cabin and provide handy places to stash smaller objects, but the majority of storage is under the cargo floor. The cargo area is carpeted, chrome-trimmed, and cavernous. We managed to fit seven of our carry-on cases behind the second row and 19 in total with the rear seat folded down.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The X1 received five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration but missed out on a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety thanks to headlamps that scored only Marginal in that agency's testing. Basic driver-assistance features are provided at no cost but more advanced technology will require adding option packages. Key safety features include:

Standard forward-collision warning

Standard lane-departure warning

Standard automatic high-beam headlamps

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

BMW's limited warranty and powertrain protection are ordinary for the segment, but the company sweetens the deal with three years of free scheduled maintenance. The Lexus NX and the Lincoln MKC offer the same limited warranties and they provide six-year or 70,000-mile powertrain warranties, but both come with shorter periods of complimentary maintenance.

Get the Best Deal on a BMW X1

2016 BMW X1

Into the front-wheel-drive future.

Recent News

BMW aficionados are living through tough times. Beyond downsized engines and the heavy focus on the "i" sub-brand, they have to get used to front-wheel-drive vehicle architectures. North America's first sample is the new X1. It replaces the outgoing, rear-drive-based model, which only just arrived three years ago. The new version—which comes standard with all-wheel drive, although the Euro-market FWD model could eventually reach our shores—shares its platform with the Mini and the 2-series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer. Those 2-series people-movers, by the way, won't come to the United States. BMW of North America has made it clear to headquarters that it has little interest in peddling them here.

The X1, however, is an important model for BMW in America. The new version not only moves to a front-wheel-drive architecture, it also loses its straight-six top-of-the-line engine option. Additionally, the new body has a higher roofline and a resultant higher center of gravity. None of this sounds particularly promising.

In all fairness, the new body allows for a significantly bigger cabin, thus addressing one of our gripes with the previous model. With the new X1, the rear passengers travel in comfort even when the front seats are pushed way back. For their part, the driver and front passenger sit higher than before. That's not what you’re looking for on a racetrack, but it is rather welcome in the everyday commute that this kind of car is typically used for.

In fact, the cabin is an utterly pleasant space to be in. The well-executed dashboard resembles those of larger BMW models, and the controls are within easy reach. We were surprised to find a conventional shifter for the automatic transmission, and it works more intuitively than the electronic shifter in BMW's rear-wheel-drive cars. The X1 also is quieter than before, there is less ride harshness, and the 2.0-liter turbo four hums along happily.

But does it perform? Actually, yes. Paired with an eight-speed automatic, the 228-hp engine whips the X1 to 60 mph in just over six seconds, BMW says, and the throttle responds with alacrity. Among turbo fours, we think BMW's new B48 engine is one of the smoothest around, and it works harmoniously with the new gearbox. As usual, you can select driving modes, although, tellingly, there is no "Sport+" on this BMW.

The chassis has no problem putting the power to the ground, and the stability-control system is far less intrusive than on the 2-series Active Tourer. The X1 copes well with the double whammy of the higher center of gravity and front-wheel-drive-based chassis. But it doesn't surpass the admittedly high level of handling in the Audi Q3 or the Volkswagen Tiguan, and on the whole, we wish the X1 were a bit more involving. We miss the willingness of its predecessor when you would toss it into and through corners.

On the other hand, the X1 performs surprisingly well off-road. It'll go up inclines you wouldn't dream about tackling with a car of this type, and it should have no trouble reaching a cabin at the end of a muddy trail or dealing with a tough winter.

It's certainly not a magical elixir for what ails BMW, but among its competitive set, the X1 is one of the more appealing choices. And for BMW aficionados with everyday needs for space and comfort, it may be an improvement over the outgoing model.